Fastening device



hama oa. n, 1932 ALBERT H. TINNEBMAN, F CLEVELAND, OHIO FASTENING DEVICE Application nl ed February 11,1932. Serial No. 592,377.

This invention relates to nut and bolt devices and particularly to a construction by l means of which two articles magI together by a bolt and nut, an

be fastened where from the construction of the article, the nut cannot be held by the operator while the bolt is be- -ing turned. Situations of this character arise in the manufacture of hollow articles, as for example, refrigerator cabinets, metal furniture, automobile bodies and the l1ke.

As ap lied to the manufacture of refrigerator ca inets, the procedure heretofore, has been to utilize a wooden frame that extends around the region adjacent the door openlng and that forms the anchoring structure to which the closure plates are fastened. The same type of construction has been used for the door to hold the outer and inner plates in spaced relationship. The use of a Wooden frame for such purpose is objectionable, for

the wood deteriorates, the assemblies are ex pensive, the screws loosen and the finish becomes im aired. It has been regarded as necessary owever to use a wooden frame 1n constructing metallic cabinets in order that the structure would be completely enclosed and would have avhollow interior which could be suitably insulated against the conduction of heat.

An object of my invention is to provide a device by means of which a hollow structure may be quickly and economically assembled, notwithstanding the fact that the iinal fastenin members must be positioned through blin o enings. The invention has particular use ulness in the manufacture of hollow metallic articles, in that the various coactin parts may be progressively assembled, an then lfastened together in an expeditious manner.

Referring now to the drawing, Fig.` 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a refrigerator cabinet, withwhich my invention can be used Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 in Fig. 2 but showing the door spaced from the cabinet; Fig. 4. is a section taken on an enlarged scale adjacent the corner of the cabinet and also showing the door spaced from the box; Fig. 5 is a section taken 'aperspeetive view of the strip on the line 5--5 in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is an enlarged pers ective view showinga modification of a evice embodying my invention; Fig. 7 is a horizontal section through two strips of metal that are fastened together b means of the device that is illustrated in lig. 6; Fig. 8 is a section throu h anpther modification of my invention, and Fig. 9 is shown .in Fig. 8.

While m invention is illustrated in connection wit refrigerator cabinets, nevertheless it is applicable for use withother types of construction as hereinbcfore stated. The cabinet, as shown, has an inner plate 10 and an outer platell between which suitable heat insulating material l2 may be disposed. The

marginal edges of the inner plate may be shaped to provide a flange 18 while the marginal edges of the outer plate may be shaped to provide a flange 14. The space between suoli flanges ma -then be closed by a plate l5 which exten s around the edges of the door opening. The door construction likewise may embody an inner plate 16, and an outerplate 17 with insulation 18 therebetween and a closure strip 19 which eoaets with the strip 15 when the door is closed. For urposes of better illustration, the doors of Pigs. 3 and ,4 are shown in spaced relationship with reference to the box.

My invention provides of which the scalino strips 15 and 19 may be satisfactorily and economically fastened in place notwithstanding the factvthat the fastening means can only be handled outside the box. To this end, provide a strip 2() which is adapted to be fastened onto theinside surfaces of the fianges 13 and 14 respectively. As applied to the door, are adapted to be attached to the flanges 21 and 22 of the inner and outer plates 16 and 17 respectively. These strips are preferably made from relatively thin sheet metal and are provided at spaced intervals with bolt receiving portions indicated in general at 25 in Fig. 1. Each of such portions preferably vembodies a pair of opposing ton ues, which are struck upwardly from the od of the strip and which have approximately a device by means these strips 9 V sha d o posing edges for enga ing the threa s of t e bolt that passes theret rou h. The strip is suitably heat treated after t e formation of the tongues so that the entire strip possesses yielding or spring-like characteristics.

This invention is well suited for the pur` pose intended, for the strip1 may be fastened on the inner side of the anges before the assembly is completed, by the addition of the closure strips 15 and 19 respectively. At such time, the strips may be fastened to the flanges in any suitable manner-such as b rivets 26, which extend through openings 2i, in the strip, and through re istering openings 28 in the flanges.. These anges likewise have bolt receiving openings 29 formed therein to register with openings of the bolt receiving portions 25, I desired, the strip ma be fastened onto the flanges by thc uti ization of tongues 30 which are struck downwardly from the strip, as is shown in Fi 9, and which are then ada ted as shown in ig..8 to be passed throug openings 31 in the coacting flanges and to be crimped over the outer side thereof. The closure stri s 15 and 19 respectively are rovided with) bolt receiving openings 31 w ich are adapted to register with the openings 29 and with the portions 25 on the associated strips. Thereupon, threaded bolts 33 are passed through the registering openings and when given a few turns are forced into locking engagement with the spring-like tongues 35 as is shown in Fig. 5. The yielding nature of the tongues allows them to be spread apart vacteristics of the metal causes the ton grip the threads, and thereby to ho d thei bolts securely in locking position. Since the to admit the bolt but the spring like chares to strip is securely held against movement with reference to the plates to which they are attached, it is obvious that the closure strips may be fastened in place merely by thrusting the bolts into their openings and giving them one or two turns to lock them.

Where it is desired to fasten together two pieces, one of which may be slightly offset with reference to' the associated piece such, for example, as is illustrated in Fig. 7 by the plate 36 and the plate 38, then the strip 20 may be suitably notched as at 40 toV coinpensate for the angle at which the two parts are disposed with reference to each other. In this way, the bolt may be caused to enter the strip at the correct angle and may be effectively locked in place in the manner heretofore described.

It is apparent from the foregoing descrip tion that my invention facilitates the assembly of hollow articles, without necessitating the tapping and threading of openin s in a retaining bar, with the attendent di culties of reaining out the coacting openings in the closure plate to effect satisfactory pcsition-v` ing of all the bolts. The yieldable tongues which are disposed at spaced intervals coact to guide the bolts into position and the spring-like characteristics thereafter operate to lock them in place.

My invention has accomplished very material savings in the construction of a cabinet, and has eliminated the necessity for the use of wooden frames and the consequent use of screws, which are apt to become loosened or to mar the finish on the exposed part of the cabinet, or other article to which the invention is applied.

I claim:-

1. Means for fastening two members together by a plurality of threaded bolts comprising a strip of material carried by one of the members, and having pairs of yieldable tongues arranged thereon at spaced intervals and the other member havingl openings in registration with the ton es, w ereby the threaded bolts may be loc ed by thrusting them endwise through the openings.

2. A fastening device adapted to be used as a lock nut in fastening two plates cornpris-v ing a relatively thin metallic strip having pairs of ieldable bolt receiving tongues ar ranged t ereon at spaced intervals.

3. The combination with two members having ali ned openin be fastene together, o a stri. having a plurali-ty-of yiel able tongues isposed in opposing relationship located in alignment with said openings, and threaded bolts passing through the openings* and engaging said tongues.

4. Means for fastening a closure on a hol therein adapted to 1 low body having openings therein, comprisv ing in combination a strip member carried said hollow body and having spaced.-

yieldable bolt' receiving portions carried by anddisposed within the body, and the closure having openings in registration with the openings in the hollow body and said por,-

tions, and bolts extending through the opei'iings and engaging said portions, said bolts being adapted to be locked by a straight longitudinal movement thereof into the openings.

be fastened together," a strip having groups of bolt receiving tongues struck upwardly therefrom, means between the groups for locking the strip lto one of the parts, and the other part having openings in registration with the groups, and bolts passing through the openings'and locked to the strip solely by the tension of the tongues thereon.

6. A bolt locking strip' having yieldable bolt receiving tongues associated therewith, and having a deformed portion adjacent one edge thereof, to hold the strip at an oblique angleto the part on which it is adapted to rest while 'a bolt is locked thereto. whereby 5. In combination, two parts adapted to aving other bendable tongues for engaging a. support and locking the strip thereto.

8. A fastening device comprising a rela.- tively thin sheet metal strip having yieldable tongues arrangedv in opposing relationship at spaced intervals thereon and'having umform thickness throughout the length thereof, the strip being suiiciently thin to admit the tongues into the thread of a bolt which passes therethrough, whereby the tongues en age only one turn of the thread.

n testimony whereof, I hereunto aix my signature.

ALBERT H. TINNERMAN. 

